The country should seize on the success of British cyclists at the Olympic
Games and transform cycling into a mainstream mode of transport, a
Parliamentary inquiry heard yesterday.

Just as sportsmen came from nowhere 20 years ago to become world leaders at
London 2012, British streets can be transformed over the next two decades
with proper investment and political leadership, Parliament heard.

But the change to build streets that are safe and cities that are pleasant
places in which to live can only come with personal leadership from the
Prime Minister, witnesses told the ‘Get Britain Cycling’ inquiry.

An expert panel said that cycle use could double every decade if David Cameron
commits to a sustained programme of investment in cycle infrastructure and
training.

“There is a real Olympic legacy to play for. We have fixed the sport. Let’s
take that and punch it through to the mainstream,” Martin Gibbs, policy
director at British Cycling, the sport’s governing body, told a panel of
MPs.

Mr Gibbs noted that Chris Boardman’s gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics was
the first British cycling gold for 72 years. Team GB emerged from the London
Games as world leader.

“I think infrastructure is very, very important for many reasons,” he said.
“It physically represents an invitation to cycle and says that we expect you
to cycle.”

The inquiry, convened by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, will hold
weekly evidence sessions until March 6. It aims to win cross-party support
for a series of measures to increase cycling in Britain. A final report will
be handed to Mr Cameron in April.

The Prime Minister has voiced his support for The Times Cities fit for
cycling campaign. The inquiry heard that it is vital for Mr Cameron to
translate that into personal leadership on the issue.

“Isn’t the simple truth here that it is not going to change in this country
without political leadership and the allocation of resources?” asked Ben
Bradshaw MP for Exeter.

Phillip Darnton, executive director of the Bicycle Association, said: “We will
not create a cycling culture until we have leadership which makes clear this
is a decision for the long term. We need long-term, very senior political
leadership.”

Ian Austin and Julian Huppert, co-chairs of the inquiry, both paid tribute to The
Times campaign, which they said had given cycling a higher political
priority than ever before.

In its submission to the panel, this newspaper said that the two greatest
changes likely to foster the wholescale uptake of cycling in Britain are
investment in segregated cycle lanes and a reduction of traffic speeds on
streets where there is no cycle provision. Ring-fenced funding for cycle
infrastructure is another priority. The Times submitted a survey of
14,000 campaign supporters. The single intervention thought most likely to
encourage more cycling was segregated cycle lanes (25 per cent), followed by
safer road junctions (23 per cent) and 20mph speed limits on residential
streets (16 per cent).

“Are we being irresponsible in encouraging people to go out on their bikes and
putting them to the sword?” asked Steve Brine, MP for Winchester. Witnesses
from several cycling organisations sought on the contrary to highlight the
health benefits of cycling and the £4 billion cost of inactivity and
obesity. More women, children and elderly cyclists would be encouraged to
ride if there was better infrastructure.

The inquiry whose final report is being funded by a £10,000 donation from News
International – parent company of The Times – will hold
sessions looking at planning and design issues, safety, health and
promotion, the business case for cycling and the role of government.

Mary Bowers, a Times reporter who inspired the campaign, remains
minimally conscious 14 months after being run over by a lorry on her cycle
to work.

Sir Chris Hoy has called on the major parties to make “ambitious” pledges to
boost cycling in their manifestos, saying it would be a “dream scenario” if
the streets were safe enough for his infant son to cycle to school with his
Olympian father when he is older